Foot-arch support



' Feb. 12, 19.29;-

C. E. LACYEY FOOT ARCH SUPPORTc Filed June 17, 1927 Patented Feb. l2,1929..

UNITED sra-rss CYRIL EDWARD LACEY, 0F BIRMENGHAM, ENGLANI).

FODT-ARCE SUEPGRT.

Application med June rf, 1927, semi no. 199.551, ana in Great Britain:any 21,1926.

This invention comprises improvements in foot supports, comprising anarched pad which is adapted to lit under the arch of the foot to form asupport, and'with which pad may be combined a heel leveller or levellersand a metatarsal support or supports or the like; and this invention'hasfor its object an improved form whereby the oot-arclr support isresiliently supported in an improved manner. Y

According to the present improvements, a pad of leather or othersuitable material, which is blocked out to form an arch shapedconliguration, has a flexible metal strip secured. to the underside,such metal strip being characterized in that it is not shapedtransversely so that itcan freely iler: along its entire length. Bothends of this flexible strip are slidably connected to a base metalystrip so that such base metal strip can be supported on the inside ofthe boot or shoe without any sliding movement when the iirst mentionedstrip is flexed. Spiral springs are inserted betweenl the two strips toresiliently react against the lieXing of the metal strip secured to theleather or like pad. The two metal strips may be Jformed of rustlesssteel so that the resiliency of the device is obtained by the use of thesaid inserted springs.

Referring to the drawings Figure l is an inside view ot' a padconstructed according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation looking in the direction of arrow m Figurel. v

Figure 3 isa side elevation looking in the direction of arrow g/ Figure1.

Figure i is a section on line 4 4 of Fig-` ure l.

Figure 5 is a 'ace view 03": the base strip hereinafter referred to.

Figure 6 is an edge view, and

Figure 7 is a face view of the metal strip fixed to the underside of thepad.

According to a convenient embodiment of this invention, the supportcomprises a pad l ot leather or other suitable material which may beblocked out to form an arch shaped conhguration7 at one side of thefoot, to conform with the shape of the toot arch. fr thin strip oi'preferably flexible non-rustl ss metal 2 is riveted at the centre to theunderside ot this pad. lhis strip is located against the under face ottthe arched pad. A second strip or ribbon or" preferably rustless metal 4is slidably mounted at each end on the ends of the irst mentioned springstrip. Conveniently for this purpose the ends of this base strip havetongues 5 which slidably engage in the bridge piece 6.

Spiral springs 7 are interposed between the strips 2 and Il to providethe resilient 'support7 and such springs are preferably detachable suchas by means of the end coils engaging over projections 8 riveted to thestrips or plates 2 and ll. IThe projections 8 may have grooves 8a to beengaged in the coils ofthe springs. A cup 8* may be provided torreceiving the centre spiral'spring. Conveniently three springs are usedand by substituting stronger or weaker springs7 considerable variationinthe strength of the support may be obtained in accordance with theweight of the `wearer or other conditions. 'lhe strength ot theresilient support may also be gradually strengthened or wealrened whilstin the particular example shown any one, or any two springs may be used.

ln the atoredescribed construction the strips or plates 2 or et areconstructed of rust less metal and the resilient support is obtained bythe interposed springs.

y It desired however, the strips or plates 2 or l may be formed fromspring steel. Or again the strip or plate 2 only may be formed ofspring' steel. When the strip or plate 2 is formed from spring steel,the ends of the base plate e are preferably so connected that a` limitedsliding movement only is allowed.

The base strip el in use is substantially flat7 and therefore when aload is placed on the arch, the ends ot the curved strip 2 will slideoutwardly in relation to the base strip. The arrangement issuch thatcomplete flexibility along the entire length ot the arch is ob-V tainedand therefore the arch conforms to any shape and will not apply a. localpressure to the arch of the toot.

The base strip i will also conform to the shapeoi` the boot, andpreferably the outer heads of the rivets 8 on the plate 4 areshaped toprevent the pad slipping from the correct position in the boot or shoe.A rubber insert l2 may be provided in thepad.

rlhe trontofthe pad may have two oppositely arranged pockets l0 with theopenings or mouths 'lacing one another and directed towards the centreot the pad. A single piece ot sponge rubber or pad of somewhat ovalshapecan thus be lined in the two pockets, one end of the pad engaging onepocket,

' siderable length of ythe pad and the pocket is open 'from 'the centreof .theheel down the side.` i A number of superimposed ipockets may'beprovided so that one,ftWo, or more insertioi1s`-ca1i"be fitted.Afsnialler pocket 13 Vmay also be provided on the l'inner side `foran'insert or fptrd. y Y Y l A feature .of this sup-port is `that thenatural flexion .and extension of Jhe foot or rise Y Y and fall; of thearch is encouraged. l"This Causes the' muscles to act in a natural man#ner, and thereby exercising and strengtheningthe -muscles so thattheycan ultimately Yfunction Without a Supportga rigidsupport, iorinstance, causes the muscles to atrophy and become set, and a support ispermanentiyV required. e p Y VClaims: 'n Y @Y 1.Y A' foot-arch supportcomprising a pad,

arnetal .istrip secured to the undersidezof the (pad, ametal'basestrip'slidably connected at Vspecification.'l

both ends to the iirst mentioned strip, and Y interposed'springs betweenthe two strips, the interposed Vsprings imparting the required flexiblesupport.

2. A Cootfairchsupport"comprising a pad, a flexible metal strip, which`is free to flex longitudinally, secured to `the underside ofthe pad, ametalbase strip slidably4 connected at both lends Ytok the 'irstmentioned metal strip, fittings on theopposed 'faces of the two metalAstrips anda plurality of spiral springsv de- Vtacha'bly connectedin'fpjosition'V onfthe said fittings and individually removable 4fromfthe ttings, 'to vary the resiliency of the support y afforded by thesprings. Y

3. 'foot-arch support comprisingapad, a flexible metal ,strip secured tothepad, cen

tral'ly otlset bridge :pieces disposed trans-V, Y versely of the stripand located adjacent "to ,the ends of the strip', meansfor connectingthe endsoi' Fthe lnridgefpiec'es to the strip, xenc specified-strip andreducedn Width at yits ends to torni 'tongues received inthe -otl's'etportions ofthe bridge rpieces `'or vsliding movement longitudinallyfofthe .first specied strip. Y Y VIn, Witness Whereo'f-ll-have signed thisCYRIL `reni/Vixen LAGEY. j

second strip arched away from the irst

